Brisbane, CA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Brisbane

Street address

50 Park Place, Brisbane, CA 94005

Phone

(415) 508-2120

building@brisbaneca.org

Coverage

City of Brisbane (San Mateo County) building permits and inspections for in-city parcels.

Online portal

Clariti

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Brisbane

before constructing, enlarging, altering, replacing, repairing, converting, demolishing, or changing use/occupancy of buildings/structures in city limits.

Note: - City indicates many common home and business alterations still require permits (bathrooms/kitchens, roofing, driveways, deck repair, patio covers, tree removal/replacement, solar, etc.). - For uncertainty, verify with Building staff before starting work.

Required documents

- Title sheet with scope, applicant contact, code cycle, sheet list and signatures/stamps where required. - Plans for site, floor/roof, elevations, MEP, and structural items. - Any project-specific add-ons (surveys, geotechnical, soils, structural calcs, etc.) based on project scope. - Owner/contractor declarations and proof/statement on license, contractor status, and worker compensation as listed in the permit application form.

Building code: - The City�s Building pages reference current California Building Code cycles and California energy code requirements, with notice that the city uses the latest adopted state cycle and has adopted local reach/energy requirements.
Permit validity: - No work started or 12-month inactivity can lead to permit expiration; permit suspension/abandonment rules and reissuance terms are in the municipal code.
Owner-builder: An owner can claim the owner-builder exception under state law only under owner-building rules; if owner sells within one year, burden of proving non-sale purpose applies. If the owner contracts out work, all contractors must hold appropriate licensing.
Contractor requirements: - City page states all contractors are required to have a valid city business license. - Building permit applications require licensed professionals for many project types and require plans/certificates to bear signatures/stamps/license numbers when required.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Brisbane ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: City notes plan review can take longer than normal; it also publishes a target of 15 business days for plan check and 15-day resubmittal cycles.

01

Confirm whether a permit is required (call/email staff if unclear).
02

Collect required submittal materials and complete the online permit application in Clariti.
03

Upload required drawings/documents (digital PDF only; all development plan pages in one PDF file).
04

Submit; plan check review starts.
05

Pay plan check fee at submission and additional permit fees when permit is issued.
06

Request inspections in Clariti after permit issuance.

Typical processing time: City notes plan review can take longer than normal; it also publishes a target of 15 business days for plan check and 15-day resubmittal cycles.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Brisbane ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Brisbane building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

plan check minimum shown as $64.

Plan check fee

- Listed as 50% (residential), 60% (non-residential), 85% (fast track), with $64 minimum.

Permit fee formula

plan check is a % of permit fee (residential 50%, non-residential 60%, fast-track 85%); building permit fee is based on square footage or valuation per fee category.

Reinspection fee

- Starting work without required permit is subject to significant penalties up to 10x required permit fee (with $10,000 cap per code basis, and lower rate for small owner exemptions in cited code text).

fee collection is split by phase (plan check at submittal, permit at issuance); card payments carry a 2% surcharge.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Clariti (online)
(415) 508-2120 (phone)

Time windows: - Residential and most commercial inspections: Monday�Thursday afternoons, Friday mornings. - City construction hours listed as weekdays 7:00 a.m.�7:00 p.m.; weekends/holidays 9:00 a.m.�7:00 p.m.

Typical sequence: - Schedule inspections as work progresses, from required intermediate inspections through final inspection. - Requests are logged and confirmed through the portal.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Brisbane permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Brisbane, CA? ▸

before constructing, enlarging, altering, replacing, repairing, converting, demolishing, or changing use/occupancy of buildings/structures in city limits.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Brisbane, CA? ▸

Building permit fees in Brisbane, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is plan check minimum shown as $64.. Fees are calculated as: plan check is a % of permit fee (residential 50%, non-residential 60%, fast-track 85%); building permit fee is based on square footage or valuation per fee category.. Plan check fee: - Listed as 50% (residential), 60% (non-residential), 85% (fast track), with $64 minimum..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Brisbane, CA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Brisbane, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether a permit is required (call/email staff if unclear). 2. Collect required submittal materials and complete the online permit application in Clariti. 3. Upload required drawings/documents (digital PDF only; all development plan pages in one PDF file). 4. Submit; plan check review starts. 5. Pay plan check fee at submission and additional permit fees when permit is issued. 6. Request inspections in Clariti after permit issuance.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Brisbane, CA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Brisbane, CA typically run City notes plan review can take longer than normal; it also publishes a target of 15 business days for plan check and 15-day resubmittal cycles.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Brisbane, CA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Brisbane, CA via: Clariti, (415) 508-2120.

last verified April 2026 source Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Brisbane ↗ entry id permits/california/san-mateo/brisbane

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Brisbane before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Brisbane

Other jurisdictions in San Mateo County.